Post-Run Meals & Trader Joe’s Dinner (WIAW)

Taking a look at what I ate on Monday!

Breakfast:

Here’s a peak inside my post-run oats in a jar plus side of coffee. I always miss the picture of my pre-run small bowl of oatmeal but at least I remember the post-run meal!

We really don’t address post-run meals often enough. Eating within 30-60 minutes after your run is crucial for muscle repair and recovery. I even think that your post-run meal is pretty important to your overall health and well-being.

The meal after your workout is not the place to skimp on your calories or nutrition.

Please let me know if we need to discuss the topic of post-run meals more in depth. I know I did a post on post-run meals a while back (here it is) but it’s possible we need to discuss the importance again in a new post.

It makes me nervous to think that there are still runners out there not eating immediately following a workout, especially if it’s because they are looking to save calories.

In the jar: oatmeal, frozen blueberries, Skoop B-Strong, cinnamon and peanut butter.

Lunch:

I worked all morning without looking up from my computer aside from refilling my mug of tea several times. When it was time for lunch, I had three issues:

1. I was in the mood FOR NOTHING.
2. There was very little to choose from in my kitchen.
3. I had no time to go out for lunch.

Rather than having peanut butter and jelly, I roasted frozen broccoli with a Dr. Praeger’s veggie burger. The best part of my random lunch was that we had cucumber salad left in the refrigerator!  I added some on top.

Dinner:

This is what I call a complete Trader Joe’s dinner.

It’s important to note that I do not often eat fish. In fact, I didn’t eat fish until was 31 years old and even now, I can go months without it. Sometimes I buy the frozen wild Argentinian red shrimp from Trader Joe’s. They don’t always have it in stock but last week they did so I figured it was a good protein idea.

I stir fried the wild shrimp and broccoli in the Trader Joe’s Island Soyaki sauce. It’s really good when served with brown rice and avocado. Similar to this recipe.

Trader Joe’s foods used in this dinner:

• Frozen wild Argentinian red shrimp
• Frozen brown rice medley (comes in a box of three pouches)
• Frozen broccoli
• Island Soyaki
• Avocado

Dessert:

Nothing really in particular. Since I gave up interest in apples, I just kind of pick at what we have in the pantry. I think I had some Hershey’s Kisses.

[bctt tweet=”Post-Run Meals & A Trader Joe’s Dinner #WIAW #TraderJoes #running #postrunmeal #breakfast ” username=”cookiechrunicle”]

Be sure to check out what everyone else is eating today for What I Ate Wednesday!

Are you good about eating after a workout? What is your favorite post-run meal?

What was for dinner last night?

 

Lunch At Koi and Grocery Store Must-Haves For This Week

 

Is it really Friday already? My afternoon escapade to Manhattan yesterday was great for the soul but completely confused my internal calendar.

My plan was to window shop before lunch but this tank top was calling my name as soon as I reached the second floor of Lord and Taylor.

It would go against everything I believe in to pass on such a shirt. And really, it was fifteen dollars. How do you not get it?

I didn’t get these shoes though…

I love bows and I love Kate Spade sandals so I have filed them into that spot in my mind specifically reserved for the window shopping items I pass up yet continue to think about while I devise a rational explanation as to why I need to go back to buy them.

Lunch. Oh lunch. Lately, I truly hate the midday meal. I am tired of everything I routinely eat making the hunger notification from my stomach an inconvenience which I satisfy solely to hold me over until dinner time.

Yesterday I liked lunch though. Of course I did; I had lunch at Koi, one of my most favorite restaurants.

I didn’t get many pictures but I was able to capture the salad which doesn’t seem so special until you taste the dressing. It was a ginger type but more of peanut flavor. Amazing.

And my favorite thing to order that only Koi can make the right way – sticky rice things with the tuna on top.

I believe we ordered lobster tacos and a few sushi rolls but I put the camera away so that I could savor every bite.

I needed this little escape to the city yesterday. Not just for the amazing food and cute shirt. I needed fresh air and a break from the computer screen.

Saying I went to Manhattan in the same sentence as getting fresh air sounds contradictory but the sun was shining and it was about 60 degrees. If you walked through Bryant Park like I did, you felt fresh spring air all around you.

Sitting all day in front of the computer may accomplish the writing I need to do but geez, sometimes I get stir crazy not to mention achy from sitting.

Check out this ergonomics in the workplace infographic  which offers some great ways to avoid the back pain and general discomfort associated with sitting all day in front of the computer.

As beautiful as the weather was yesterday, today is cold and rainy. I may run outside anyway this morning not because I really want to but because it could end up raining during next week’s race and one must be prepared for the elements.

Actually, running in the rain doesn’t bother me as much as food shopping in the rain which I have to do as well today.

The little boy has little league opening day tomorrow and with other weekend commitments, I would rather just get the errands out of the way today than worry about fitting it all in tomorrow and Sunday.

I haven’t put together my list just yet but here are a few must-have items this week:

My son is obsessed with Annie’s new line of granola bars. I am not one for the packaged snacks but let’s face it – you need to have some on reserve in your pantry, especially with the afterschool activities picking up in the spring.

One box is Gluten Free Chocolate Chip and one is Organic Chocolate Chip – really no taste difference; I just bought both last week since Target had them all on sale.

And Oatmeal Cookie. He loves the Oatmeal Cookie.

I really don’t love popcorn or any salty-type snack but this bag from Trader Joe’s is terrific when a random craving hits or you just need to munch on something.

This popcorn is perfect for me because it doesn’t leave that I-want-to-gag-I-ate-too-much-popcorn taste in my mouth.

We are all about shrimp lately. It makes me happy to say “we” because it means I can make one meal that both the little boy and I can eat. It isn’t always easy being a vegetarian and cooking for a carnivore at the same time.

I am hoping for a good blueberry sale today as well. You know you are getting old when your excitement stems from the price of produce.

Have a great weekend!

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What are your grocery store must-have items for this week?

When you want a snack, do you go salty or sweet?

Any races this weekend?

Do you like to run in the rain?